Collapsible storage table with cross legs



May 13, 1958 ^E. A. JOHANSSON ET AL 2,334,544

COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE TABLE WITH CROSS LEGS Filed March 23, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORK [BBf A/VBEQS /S/PAEL JOHNSTON A/Yl) STl/R ALLAN MATT/AS JOHANSSON ATTORNEY` United States Patent O ice COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE TABLE WITH CROSS LEGS bb' Anders Israel Johansson 'and Sture Allan Mattias Johansson, Halmstad, Sweden Application March 23, 1955, Serial No. 496,298

Claims priority, application Sweden March 29, 1954 1 Clain. (Cl. 311-79) The present invention relates to collapsble tables of the kind comprising a rectangular table top supported by a framework consi'sting of two substantially rectangular and pivotally interconnected supporting members in the form of closed frames, these frames being collapsible from a supporting position in which their respective planes cross each other, into an inoperative position in which they are disposed in a common plane.

The invention has for its object to provide a collapsible table of the kind stated which is of a simple design, is Conveniently collapsible and erectable, and which is easily transported requiring little space when in its collapsed condition.

In attaining the object stated, according to the present invention, a collapsible table of the kind indicated is characterized by the fact that the supporting framework is releasably attached to the table top by retaining elements disposed on the underside of the table, and the table top s provided at its underside, adjacent two oppositely disposed side edges, with catches or like elements for detachably retaini ng the supporting framework against the underside of the table top after the framework has been released from the first-mentioned retaining elements and then collapsed.

In accordance with a suitable embodiment of the table, the means for retaining the collapsed supporting framework against the underside of the table top comprises two rails secured to the underside of the table top adjace nt to two opposite side edges thereof, respectively, one of said rails being provided with catches projecting towards the other rail and there being pivotally mounted on the other rail a hasp or the like.

It is advantageous, in its collapsed condition, for the supporting framework to have a sufiicient length so as to enable the same when attached to the underside of the table in said condition to project with one end beyond the end of the table top, so as to enable said end to serve as a carrying handle.

It is also possible to arrange the means for reta'ning the collapsed supporting framework with said framework spaced from the table top by an amount establishing be tween the latter and the collapsed framework retained by said retaining means a space for 'receiving collapsed folding chairs, the latter being then retained by said supporting framework.

One specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example, reference being had to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is an inverted plan view of a campng table constructed according to the invention, the table being shown in its collapsed condition and having, in addition to its supporting framework, also two collapsed folding chairs attached to the underside of the table top.

Figure 2 shows a cross-secton through the collapsed table, the section being taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. i

Figure 3 is an end view of the table as seen in the direction of the arrows III-III in Figure l, and

2`, 83 4, 644 Patented May 13, 1958 Figure 4 is an end elevation of the table and one of the "folding chairs with both table and ch'ai'r being in their unfolded and erected condition.

Referring more particularly t the a'ccompanying drawings in which like 'and corresponding paris are designated by similar reference characters', numra 1 design'ates the rectangular table top to the underside of which there are Secured by rivets 2 in :s aced relaton 'to its ends, respectively, two broad catches 3 whichare resile'nt and have 'their entr'ance opening's facin'g each other, and along the t'w'o lateral 'or l'o'g'itudihal 'edges of which underside 'rails in the form of two L-bars 5, Sa, respectively, are secured by rivets 4. Secured to one of these L-bars viz. 5 are two catches or clips 6 projecting towards the other L-bar sa, and intermediate between the ends of the last-mentioned L-bar Sa a hasp or button 7 is pivotally mounted.

There is also mounted at the underside of the table top, A

adjacent one of its ends, an angle iron 17.

The supporting framework of the table is composed of two closed rectangular frames 8 and 9, respectively, made of tubing or bar metal, one frame 8 of which is slightly smaller in size than the other. Said frames are pivotally interconnected by two pivots enabling the frames to be extended or u nfolded from a collapsed position in a common plane into a position in which the planes of the frames cross each other. In this unfolded condition of the supporting framework the portions 10 of the frames are engaged under the catches 3 utilizing the resiliency of the latter, after which the frames serve as supporting members for the table top (Fig. 4). For collapsing the table, the supporting framework is released from the table top and is collapsed, after which the same is attached to the underside of the table top with the catches 6 engaging the sides 11 of the larger frame 9 and with the hasp 7 engaging the opposite side of the frame, as appears from Figure 1. The portion 12 of the smaller frame 8 is disposed outside the projecting web of the angle iron 17 whereby the supporting framework'will be prevented from being displaced upwardly as seen in Figure l. Thus when attached in this manner to the underside of the table top the supporting framework projects with one end portion 13 beyond the table top, and the end portions 10 serve as a carrying handle for the transportation of the collapsed table. It would be preferable to arrange the angle iron 17 close to the edge of the table top as shown to cause the portions 13 of the large frame opposite to the portion 10 thereof to project slightly beyond the edge of the table top whereby the latter will not contact the soil should the collapsed table be stood more or less vertically on the ground with said edge down.

The catches 6 and the hasp 7 are spaced a sufficient distance from the plane of the table top so as to provide a space between the table top and the collapsed supporting framework. This space is utilized for receiving a couple of folding chairs, each consisting, in a known manner, of two closed rectangular frames 15 and 16 which can be folded into a common plane, and a piece of cloth 18 serving as a seat. The folding chairs in their collapsed condition have a length slightly less than the distance between the L-bars 5, Sa. The folding chairs are placed on the underside of the table top prior to the collapsed supporting framework and are adapted to be j retained in place thereby.

frames each having the sides thereof pivotally connected to corresponding sides of the other frame whereby said frames can assume a table top supporting position in which their respective planes cross each other or a folded position in which said frames are positioned in a common plane with one frame inside the other, and means for detachably connectirg said frames in their folded position to, but spaced from said table top providing a storage space therebetweer which connecting means consists of a pair of L-shaped bars connected to said table each along a side of said top for receiving said folded frames thcrebetween, a pair of spaced apart clips connected to one of said bars and projecting towards the other of said bars for retaining one of the sides of said frames, and a hasp pivotally mounted on the other of said bars for retaining the other sides of said frames.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 23l,25l Atkinson Aug. 17, 1880 %6,669 Atkinson Oct. 31, 1882 1,237,269 Abraham Aug. 21, 1917 1,994,364 King Mar. 12, 1935 2,666,681 Adler Jan. 19, 1954 2,666,682 McCormick Ian. 19, 1954 2,675,286 Derman Apr. 13, 1954 

